Wednesday, February 17, 2010

On dogs ...

As most regulars around here know, Gord and I are dog people. Gord and Mrs. G have been adopting rescued Springer Spaniels for years and our Shayna is a rescue as well. I haven't done one of these in a while so I figure the morning after Westminster ends is a good time.

Every year, between 3 and 4 million dogs end up in shelters, unwanted. Some folks have to make the hard decision to give up their companions because of the stressful financial times we live in but many just weren't prepared for the responsibility. Over a million dogs are euthanized every year and I have a few things to say about that.

Firstly, dogs are not toys, to be played with for a while until the 'newness' wears off and then forgotten about. A dog is not an "impulse buy". Having a dog is a long term commitment, a life that depends on you for its existence. If you're not ready to sign on to that commitment, don't get a dog. Get a goldfish.

Do not get a dog because your kids saw a certain breed in a movie or TV show and are pestering the shit out of you. 'Cuteness' is not a reason, it's a feature. Get a dog because you want to enrich your children's lives and teach them responsibility.

Do not get a dog if you have no time to do all the stuff you need to do for yourself and your family. Dogs, especially puppies, take goodly amounts of time to train properly and socialize. A dog who's neglected will find ways to amuse himself, usually in ways you find anything but amusing. Ultimately, 'bad' behavior usually ends up with the dog being left at a shelter.

Dogs are not fashion accessories, period.

Do not get a dog if you can't afford to pay your bills. Food and proper medical care cost money and if things are tight around the house, adding the expense of another mouth to feed isn't going to help the situation. When things get really tight, you're not going to get rid of one of the kids, are you?

If you are in a position to give a dog a home, do your research first. Here's where cute comes in again. All puppies are cute, but the degree of cuteness is not a reason to choose a particular dog. Yes, your dog has to be pleasing to look at for you but a breed's natural temperament might pose a conflict with your family's lifestyle. A high energy dog might not be the best for folks who have a more sedate life and a running companion for a marathoner should be an animal built for speed and endurance. Do your breed research before you decide on one. The same goes for mutts. Generally, the behavior of a mixed breed will parallel the breed it is most closely related to (e.g. - if it looks a lot like a Pointer, it will act a lot like a Pointer).

All I'm saying is think with your head, not your heart, when considering adding a dog to your home. Personally, I believe that the world would be a better place if every kid grew up with a four-legged best friend but it should not be a decision taken lightly. Get a dog for the right reasons and you'll get much more in return than you've invested.

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